Honoring Juneteenth
- Areté Living Admin
- May 29, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 26, 2024
This month we honor Juneteenth. Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day) marks the date of June 19, 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to finally inform enslaved Black people of their freedom. Texas was the last state to receive the news. This historical moment came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863.
People have celebrated Juneteenth since that day in 1865. Celebrations first began in Galveston and Houston, spreading throughout the west. Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021.
“It is a celebration of freedom, family, and the joy of being alive.”
– Kelly Navies, Museum Curator, National Museum of African American History & Culture
Juneteenth is an official company holiday
Beginning this year, we are honoring Juneteenth as a company holiday. Salaried employees will have the day off and hourly employees who work June 19 will earn time and a half pay. This update is part of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Areté Living President Sarah Silva stated: “This is an important day in United States history, and we are pleased to officially recognize this as one of our company holidays. I invite all our team members to learn more about the history of Juneteenth in honor of this observance.”
Learn more
Honor Juneteenth this year by learning more.
Read the flyer posted in your building and attached here to learn more about Juneteenth.
Take this short quiz to test your knowledge and be entered to win a $40 Amazon gift card!
Visit the website for the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Here they share the history of Juneteenth, a Juneteenth reading list, and much more. Visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.
Recognize Juneteenth by attending an event near you! Click here to get a list of events nearby our senior living communities.
Follow us on social media and visit https://www.areteliving.com/deib to keep up with how we’re celebrating and recognizing cultural moments like Juneteenth through the year.
